The blast occurred in Gampa Village, Johan Pahlawan Sub-district, Meulaboh City, around 11:20 a.m. local time, killing Ramli, 35, from Medan, North Sumatra, and M. Rizki, 20, from Lhokseumawe, Aceh.
Both men were working at the refilling site when the explosion happened, said Teuku Ronal Nehdiansyah, acting head of the West Aceh Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), on Thursday.
"Both victims died instantly due to the powerful blast. One body was completely destroyed, while the other suffered severe injuries," Ronal said.
He added that 15 nearby houses were damaged, with six severely and nine lightly affected. Windows were shattered, roofs torn off, and walls cracked across the area.
Several homes are now uninhabitable because of the extent of the destruction, he noted, adding that residents are still reporting additional damage as assessments continue.
Emergency teams and local officials have been deployed to assist residents and secure the area.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, though authorities suspect a technical failure during the refilling process.
BPBD deployed dozens of personnel to evacuate victims and manage the scene, using three fire trucks and an ambulance for rescue operations.
"In total, three people were affected — two killed and one survivor. We are still confirming the victims' identities," Ronal said.
Police are also investigating the cause of the explosion and inspecting the refilling facility for safety compliance.
"The cause of the incident is still under police investigation. We urge all industrial operators to follow strict safety standards to prevent similar accidents," Ronal added.
Similar explosions have occurred in other regions. In August 2021, a worker at PT Baja Sarana Sejahtera in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, suffered severe injuries when a customer's oxygen cylinder exploded during refilling.
A witness, Abetnego, said the victim, identified as Yohanes, was badly injured when the tank suddenly exploded while waiting to be refilled.
"The explosion caused serious injuries, especially to his head," Abetnego said.
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Translator: TD Iskandar, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Anton Santoso
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